For allegedly attempting to assassinate a traditional ruler, Oba Adeniyi John Adinlewa, the Obaloogun of Igoba Land in Ondo State, no fewer than 10 suspects have been dragged before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The suspects, led by 32-year-old Tolulope Alo, also known as ‘Asamo’, were arraigned in the court on an eight-count charge involving criminal conspiracy, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms, illegal assembly, breach of public peace, malicious damage, and threats to life.
The other defendants were Seun Bankole (42), Kolawole Kazeem (35), Seriki Lateef (35), Bankole Tobi (25), Sunday Amigun (32), Ayodele Saka (34), Adedayo Ogidan (43), Olaoluwa Kayode (21), and Ezekiel Vincent (26).
The suspects were accused of invading the Igoba community on Thursday, attacking residents at gunpoint, injuring several people, and looting properties.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the monarch, Oba Adinlewa, escaped unhurt when the attackers stormed his palace.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector Sulaiman Adebayo, told the court that the offences occurred between October 1 and 2, 2025, at Aleo and Imolumo communities in Igoba, within the Akure Magisterial District.
According to Adebayo, the accused persons, armed with single-barrel guns, dagger, charms, and other dangerous weapons, attempted to kill the monarch in his residence.
The prosecutor further added that the group unlawfully assembled with the intent to instil fear among residents and incite communal conflict against the traditional ruler.
He alleged that the defendants were found with two cut-to-size barrel guns, three live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two cutlasses, five knives, and a bulletproof vest — all without lawful justification.
Additionally, they were accused of destroying a Tecno mobile phone worth ₦80,000 and damaging tomato crops valued at ₦5,000 belonging to one Mrs Arowolo Joy.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, violate Sections 516, 320, 332, 251, 42, and 71 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, and Section 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. 174, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecutor, however, prayed the court to remand the suspects at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
But, defence counsel, Femi Emmanuel Emodamori, opposed the remand application, requesting that his clients be allowed to give oral evidence under oath or that the case be adjourned to enable him to file a counter-affidavit.
He explained that the crisis stemmed from a land dispute between one of the defendants and the monarch, and insisted that no confessional statement had been made by the accused as claimed by the police.
In his ruling, the Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, said the defendants be held in police custody for one day to allow their counsel time to gather facts for a counter-affidavit.
